MeTamaterial sensor for battery-less Structural Health Monitoring

In this project, we aim to realize a novel, battery-less Acoustic Emission (AE) sensor for low-cost Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of critical infrastructure, such as bridges. Current AE systems are often bulky and rely on batteries or continuous power, which complicates installation, increases costs, and generates large volumes of data that require centralized processing. There is a clear need for more affordable and flexible infrastructure monitoring solutions. If SHM could be performed without batteries or external power, sensors could be deployed in diverse locations at a very low cost. This project will combine expertise in civil and structural engineering with passive information processing (from the host research group at AMOLF), to create and validate a battery-less, cost-effective sensor capable of detecting AE waves on-site for early damage detection.The design and fabrication phases will be guided by the competencies in intelligent metamaterials, physical computing, MEMS, and microfabrication of Dr. Serra-Garcia, supervisor of the project at AMOLF. The lab-scale testing phase will be led by Prof. Verstrynge, an expert in the calibration and testing of prototype AE devices at KU Leuven (secondment institute). I will receive high-level training through research to complement my background in SHM, ultrasonic sensor design, and wave propagation with new skills in intelligent metamaterials, MEMS, microfabrication, and advanced AE device testing techniques. I will support my training by attending courses, managing the project’s financial aspects, reinforcing my academic track with high-impact publications, and expanding my network of collaborations. The multidisciplinary expertise gained through this project will uniquely position me to lead in both established fields like MEMS and emerging areas such as intelligent metamaterials and physical computing, which are shaping new areas of research.